BARISAN Nasional must prioritise the interests of its grassroots and move on to a “stronger footing”, said Hishammuddin Hussein.

The Umno politician and BN treasurer-general said it is the grassroots who determine the coalition’s future.

“If we are able to show leadership, sincerity, honesty in what we do and prove to the people… eventually the people will determine our ups and downs.

“If we can prove that to the people, then I think BN can get out of today’s situation to a stronger footing,” he said was reported saying by Astro Awani after the BN supreme council meeting yesterday. 

The meeting comes ahead of voting on Budget 2021 at the policy stage on Thursday, a likely test of confidence for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Hishammuddin, who is also Sembrong MP, said BN remains firm in its stance to give only conditional support for the supply bill as stated by coalition chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi previously.

“BN has made a decision, the party has made a stand, I do not know what will happen this Thursday (winding up the 2021 Budget). 

“If something happens? If something happens, then we cross that bridge when we come to it.”

Umno has demanded changes to the supply bill to include an extension of the blanket moratorium on bank loan repayments until June and for one-off withdrawals of RM10,000 from Account 1 of the Employees’ Provident Fund.

Political observers see these demands as a form of pressure on Muhyiddin, as Umno believes it will be the winner if a snap general election is held now. – November 24, 2020.